Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Candidates offer up pledges - and kiss the political pig

By Wendy Ledbetter

It was a chance for political candidates to speak out on the issues of importance and for members of the community to show their support for a good cause. The rally was sponsored by Project Graduation with all the money raised from the dinner and the dessert auction going toward the graduation event.

All political candidates were given the opportunity to speak as well as some current office-holders who have no opposition or who are not up for election this year.

The first to speak was Bubba Powers who is seeking the State Representative District 3 seat. Powers said the City of Prescott isnt in his district, but said some parts of Nevada County are. He pledged that he wont allow anyone in the state legislature to intimidate him into making the wrong decisions. Powers will face Vhonda Murphy in the Democratic primary and Republican candidate Evelyn Bradford.

Circuit Judge candidates for the Division 1 seat Randy Wright and Mark Gunner each spoke.

Wright touted the need for more parental involvement in order to address youth crime issues. He said the people of the county have stated their approval by electing him as prosecuting attorney for the past eight years. And Im asking you to vote for me for Circuit Judge.

Wright said he has a thorough understanding of the legal system and that hes been involved with the community through teaching, coaching and serving on the school board.

I think all those things give me the ability to serve, Wright said.

Gunner offered up a visual aid in the form of a trailer hitch. He said the hitch is used to connect a vehicle with something to be pulled.

The hitch doesnt care whats in front of it or behind it, Gunner said. And his point is the hitch operates the same way, regardless of the vehicle or the trailer. Its the epitome of fair.

Lets hitch up and go, Gunner said, concluding his speech.

William Mullins, candidate for County Judge, wasnt able to attend the rally due to a recent illness. His wife, Helen, read a prepared speech and assured those present that Mullins is on the mend.

Among the issues facing the county, Mullins outlined the desire to work with the road department toward improving the countys roads. He also hopes to see the jail issues resolved and would like to see the old hospital building used, Helen Mullins said. Toward those goals, Mullins statement indicates that hed like to see committees established to set some goals and make recommendations.

Helen Mullins said some people have asked her husband why he wants to run for county judge.

William said, I want to make a difference, Helen Mullins said.

Mullins is facing Baker Butler in the primary.

Butler said he was raising in Nevada County and is a Navy veteran. He cited his budgeting experience as one of his strengths.

I think I know how to keep money, he said. And I think I know what weve got to do with it.

Baker has been road foreman for the county for the past five years and said he knows the condition of the roads - knowledge thats necessary for the office, according to Baker.

Current County Judge James Roy Brown is not seeking office this year. Brown said he doesnt want to use the word retire just yet.

Im just not asking for a job this year, he said.

Sheriffs candidates Steve Otwell, Harold Vines and Bobby Carlton also addressed those gathered at the rally. Otwell, the incumbent, said hes always promised to do the tasks of the sheriffs office to the best of his ability, and said he believes hes kept that promise.

Carlton, a retired Arkansas State Trooper, said he has a desire to serve.

Ill do the best I can, he promised.

Vines, the last of the three to speak, said he was Nevada County Sheriff in 1995-96. He vowed to continue to fight the drug problem and to implement a plan to check in on the elderly of the community. He cited the case of an elderly man who had died in his home and wasnt found for several days.

That happened in Nevada County, he said. That didnt happen in some big city.

The Nevada County Circuit Clerk candidates also took the opportunity to take the microphone. Carolyn Steed who currently holds the office is not seeking another term.

Rita Reyenga said her parents taught her to stick with any job she was given, no matter what the job entailed. She talked about her lack of understanding about the circuit clerks job until she had spent some time in that office.

It was nothing like I imagined, she said. People who have never worked in that office ... have no idea of the responsibilities of the office.

She cited her commitment to fairness in the office and promised to continue that commitment, if elected.

Reyenga faces Judy Duke for the circuit clerks position. Duke spoke of her involvement in the community, including the Nevada County Fair Association, Arts League, and 2006 Leadership class.

I feel I possess the skills needed to become the next Nevada County Circuit Clerk, Duke said.

Justice of the Peace incumbent Susie Key also spoke, saying that shed greatly enjoyed her first term on the Nevada County Quorum Court and hoped her constituents feel free to call on her.

The goal of Project Graduation is to offer graduating seniors a safe night of partying under controlled conditions. The hope is that parents will have less worries and seniors wont face the peer pressure that so often accompanies graduation night. Toward that end, desserts were auctioned off with several heated bidding wars for specific treats. An Italian Cream Cake brought $110 and several pies were sold at $50, raising several hundred dollars for the cause.