Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Butler: I'm ready for the job

Baker Butler is looking to be the next Nevada County Judge. Butler, a native of Nevada County, said he is ready for the duties of the office. Current county judge James Roy Brown has announced that he will not seek another term in office.

Butler is married to Barbara. The couple have four children and nine grandchildren.

Butler said he attended school at Bodcaw and business school in Little Rock. Hes a veteran of the Navy is a deacon at Central Baptist Church. His wife was the countys tax assessor for 12 years and Butler served on the Bodcaw City Council and school board.

Butler has spent the past five years working for Nevada County in the countys road shop.

The last year and four months, Ive been road foreman, he said.

Butler said the countys financial condition is a serious issue to be faced by anyone in county government.

Weve got lots of needs and this is a poor county, Butler said. Weve got to make the money go as far as we can.

He said that means that the countys budget is an important task for those in county government.

You have to live by the budget, he said. Money, thats the key right there.

Butler cited fuel prices as being a problem

When the fuel prices go up, everything goes up, he said. And it makes a tremendous difference in what you can do.

Butler said he believes the top issues on the minds of the people in the rural areas of the county are trash and roads. Having worked in the road department makes him qualified to tackle these issues, Butler said.

Pulling ditches is one way to make the roads last longer. He said that another important factor in making good roads is using good gravel.

Of course, we would like to do some more blacktopping, if we have the money, he said.

The condition of the courthouse is another important issue, Butler said. He cited the fact that the building is to get a new roof this year, but said there are still some improvements that can be made.

We want it to look nice, he said.

The countys jail and county equipment are both issues, though Butler again cited budget constraints on what can be done.

We wish we had a lot more and newer equipment, he said.

Butler cited his experience as supervisor for a pretty major company for 17 years.

I was responsible for a lot of pipe line, he said. I had to make the budget out and we had to pretty much stay with it.

Butler said that budgeting requirement will mean that there are many things hed like to see done that simply arent possible.

I know I wont be able to do everything I want to do, he said.

Butler said the one thing hed like to see in the county is more involvement in county government.

Butler said his experience and his love of the county make him the best candidate for the position.

I think Im ready for the job, he said. I love people. I like being around people. I just think can do a good job.