Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

JPs square off in County district 8

Voters in the Justice of the Peace District 8 race will choose their next representative at the polls on May 23. The two seeking that office are E.Z. Sonny Buster and Arval Mason. Mason is the incumbent in the race.

District 8 covers the Bodcaw and Laneburg area.

Mason

Mason and his wife Gail have three children.

Money is a big issue for the county and for his district, Mason said.

We need to utilize the money we have, he said. And we need to make sure that we - as the southern end of the count - get all that we deserve.

That means not only spending wisely, but being sure we get what we pay for, Mason said.

Roads and garbage pickup are important issues for those in his district, according to Mason.

Mason said that theres also a need to pay attention to existing businesses and potential businesses for the area. Those points are necessary to help kids have jobs to keep them in Prescott, Mason said.

Mason said he has worked as a plant supervisor for a Hope industry and has spent 22 years at Firestone with part of that time as production supervisor. He said he has also owned and operated a store at Bodcaw and has a cattle operation.

For the past two years, Mason has served on the solid waste committee of the Nevada County Quorum Court. Mason said his decision to run for JP several years ago was prompted by his desire to see District 8 become more united with the rest of the county.

When I started working at Firestone, I realized that my area of the county sometimes didnt really belong, Mason said.

He said he believes that the entire county has to pull together in order for the county to be truly successful.

I think we need to support the smaller businesses, he said. I think we need to support our county.

To emphasize that point, he talked about garbage pickup.

Garbage pickup is funded by sales tax. If we dont do business locally were going to end up paying for it.

Mason said campaigning is going well and that he believes hes gotten support from his district.

Its been an honor and a privilege to serve the past seven years in District 8, Mason said.

Buster

Buster said he was asked to run for the office. He touts his background as making him qualified for the position.

I feel like Im well-qualified, he said. Being in the banking profession and with my financial background.

Buster said he and his wife, Linda, have four children. Hes served on the Bodcaw City Council and is active in the Union Baptist Church at Bodcaw.

Buster said he worked as a banker in Hope for 38 years. Budgeting is one of the countys biggest issues, and one of the most important duties of the JPs, Buster said.

I have the background to set budgets, he said.

One of the biggest issues facing the residents of the county, according to Buster, is the condition of roads. Thats an ongoing issue that is never truly resolved, but Buster said he does see some room for improvement in his district.

The fact that hes held office for the city of Bodcaw also means that hes had experience dealing with the public - another important aspect of being a JP, according to Buster.

Im a people person, he said. Im courteous to people and a faithful member of my church. I try to do whats right.

Campaigning is going well, Buster said. He said his efforts at meeting the people of the district have given him a chance to renew old acquaintances and to meet new people. He said hes found support and that fact has helped him continue working toward gaining the office.

I appreciate the support of people in District 8 and in Nevada County, he said.