Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

First Jaycees Political Rally Attracts Crowd

Political candidates gathered in the Prescott Middle School cafetorium Saturday afternoon to tout their platform and ask for votes.

The event, sponsored by the Prescott-Nevada County chapter of the Jaycees, drew mostly candidates and their families.

A bright, springtime afternoon kept many people away.

However, a small crowd didn't deter those seeking public office.

Don Worthey, candidate for state representative from district 28, was first to the podium. He reminded those on hand of his 12 years as Hempstead County Sheriff with a clean record.

Worthey said, if elected, he understands what farmers, law enforcement officials and educators would want. He told the audience he would be able to work with the legislators in Little Rock to accomplish these goals.

Additionally, he said the health care issue will be a major concern as a lot of Medicaid will be turned back to the state. He said he will work to make sure the funds are distributed right.

Sandra Rodgers, also a candidate for the district 28 representative seat, promised to be a representative for all people.

Her platform includes education, economy, the juvenile code and criminal code.

As a legal secretary for 12 years, she said she knows how laws are written.

Rodgers said she will call experts in various areas from Nevada County to help make decisions as a legislator. The public's input, she said, would be her output.

Steve Buelow said he's a supporter of volunteer effort, and his experience and record show this.

He reminded the audience of his own volunteer involvement with the Hope Kiwanis, Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce, Hempstead County United Way and Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation.

As a representative, he said, he would be available to the public, and would use the toll-free number at his business (Anderson-Frazier Insurance) to let people call him on legislative issues.

Buelow said he'd work to restore trust in the government, and will work on behalf of all people, if elected.

Robert Arnold was the final representative candidate to speak on the democratic ticket.

His primary focus would be on issues involving the elderly, if elected.

Arnold said he would work to eliminate the tax on groceries, and possibly medicine.

"They play hardball in Little Rock," he said. "They play for keeps.

"The government is sending block grants to the state, but we don't know how much. This includes welfare and possibly Medicaid."

Arnold said 55 percent of the people in this district make less than $20,000 per year with two people working. These people, he said, need relief from their tax burden, not more taxes heaped on them.

He also touted his experience in helping industry expand while mayor of Hope. He said under his administration there was a good deal of infrastructure work done. The fire, police and sanitation departments were also upgraded, and a landfill constructed.

Tim Cornelius is seeking the slot as a republican. He told those present he works at Pyramid Plastics in Hope as their company attorney.

Cornelius said he is familiar with state government from his work with the Arkansas Department of Finance Authority in tax collections.

He, too, said he'd like to work and eliminate the tax on edible foods.

His platform is based on taxes, education and economic development. He said all three are interrelated and vital to the state's future.

He pulled an idea from Fourth Congressional Representative Jay Dickey in saying he would meet in different communities throughout the district each Saturday to hear the people's concerns.

Percy Malone, though unopposed, was on hand and thanked the people for their support.

He promised to continue working to get energy grants to this area, and try to get industry to locate here as well.

Then the fireworks began. The race for Eighth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney is heating up.

Incumbent Brent Haltom, who spoke first at the rally, said he's standing by his record and not looking at statistics.

He reminded the audience everything he does is a matter of public record, and all cases he files are determined by a judge -- not him.

Haltom said his opponent, Duncan Culpepper, should be honest with the people during this campaign.

He said Culpepper has charged him with allowing too many probations, but, Haltom continued, probation can be a useful tool to give a person a second chance.

"I stand by my record," he said. "I won't treat you like a statistic. All cases are taken as they come. I don't have a quota system. I'm the people's prosecutor and I'm proud of the work done by my deputy prosecuting attorneys."

Culpepper, taking the podium, said he has the experience to be the district's prosecuting attorney.

He reminded the crowd he's been a municipal judge for nine years, resigning the post only to run for this office. He said he worked four years as a deputy prosecuting attorney and is experienced in working with people, law enforcement officers, judges and the court system.

Culpepper said Haltom's records do need to be looked at by the people. He told the audience these records are available in the Nevada County Circuit Clerk's Office during regular business hours.

In 1994-95, he said, Haltom had 150 defendants charged and disposed of. Of this number, Culpepper said, 68 percent are back on the street already.

Talking about violent crimes, Culpepper said of 37 prosecuted, 29 are back on the street, and this number includes a father who shot his daughter.

"Common sense needs to be used in probations," he said. "In 70 percent of the cases disposed of, the violators are back on the street."

Culpepper said six of 10 people convicted on drug charges are loose today from Nevada County, while 27 of 27 charged with drugs are on the streets in Hempstead County.

"You need to look at the records," he said. "It's time for a change."

The next hottest race is for Nevada County Sheriff.

While incumbent Harold Vines and challenger Steve Otwell aren't running one another down publicly, the third man in the race, Themious Lindsey attacked both.

Lindsey said Vines isn't doing the job properly and Otwell can't handle the position, which leaves him as the logical choice.

Lindsey called for a public debate between the three men as well.

He said he can root out drugs in the area if given the chance.

In addition, he said there are no black deputies with the Nevada County Sheriff's Office, a situation he would remedy.

He said the people need the right man in office, and it's not a matter of color.

Lindsey said we need to go back to the Constitution and enforce the laws on the books equally, new laws aren't needed.

Otwell, during his