Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Ballow Positions Drawn For Primary

Candidates for public office were on hand at Wednesday morning's meeting of the Nevada County Democratic Central Committee.

The candidates showed up to choose where they would be on the ballots in the county.

However, prior to the selection process, Davis Benton, chairman of the committee, made sure they were all certified and approved.

This was done with no problem.

Candidates for the State House of Representatives for District 28 were the first to dip into the glass bowl for their ballot slots.

Robert Arnold, owner of Arnold Plaza in Hope, came out with the No. 1 spot.

He introduced himself to those on hand, telling the audience he had been the mayor of Hope for two terms and was on the city council there several years.

Arnold said he has worked with former Gov. Bill Clinton and Gov. Jim Guy Tucker, and would have no problems working in the legislature.

He told those present he is on the long term care board, and will make sure justice is done when budget cuts are done by the legislature.

Hope's Steve Buelow drew the No. 2 spot on the ticket. Buelow, the owner of Anderson-Frazier Insurance, said he looks forward to representing the people of Nevada County.

Whoever is elected to represent this district, he said, will have the opportunity to make an impact in the General Assembly because of term limits.

He said in two years, the District 28 representative will have some seniority and be able to get on key committees and panels.

Buelow told the audience he has been a member of the Hempstead County Quorum Court for 10 years, and is the current chairman of its budget and finance committee.

In addition, he said, as an insurance man he has been in and out of the doors of businessmen and hears their concerns.

Don Worthey drew the three slot on the May 21 ballot.

He spoke of his 12 years as the Hempstead County Sheriff, membership in the Lions Club and First United Methodist Church.

Worthey said while Sheriff, he was the secretary of the Arkansas Sheriff's Association and worked with the legislature.

"I know a lot of them, and will be able to work with them," he said.

This left the No. 4 position for Sandra Rodgers.

She told the audience she has lived in the area all her life and has served on the Democratic Central Committee and the Nevada County Election Commission.

"I'm committed to the community," she said.

Rodgers reminded everyone of work she has done in the area, including getting a pee wee basketball program started, along with developing the youth talent program at the Nevada County Fair.

Additionally, she has helped raise money for Operation Breadbasket.

Rodgers said she worked with the South Central Drug Task Force for six years, and was a legal secretary for 12 years.

Each candidate promised to work to help bring business and industry to Prescott and Nevada County, if elected.

From there the drawing was for Eighth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney.

Rodgers, whose husband, Danny, is the deputy PA in the county, drew for incumbent Brent Haltom.

However, Duncan Culpepper procured the top spot for this race.

Culpepper reminded the audience he has practiced law in the area since 1979, has been a municipal judge and was once the prosecuting attorney.

"Coach" Jack House got the No. 1 position for the Nevada County Judge's race over James Roy Brown.

House said if elected he would do all he could to promote this county. "The people here are doing good work," he said, "and I'll put my shoulder to the wheel and push as well."

House said Nevada County needs to increase its tax base by getting more people in the work force.

Brown said there is more to being county judge and the county's road system, though roads are important, he continued.

He agreed with House the county needs more jobs and promised to work to bring industry to Prescott and Nevada County.

In what was not a "farewell" speech, County Judge John Barham, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term of John Henry, thanked the committee for its hard work.

He praised the elected officials, telling them they have made his job much easier.

Barham promised the winner of the May 21 primary he would work closely with them for a smooth transition on Jan. 1, 1997, when the new judge will be sworn in.

A member of the committee drew the number one position for Steve Otwell in the Sheriff's race. He was followed by incumbent Harold Vines and Themious Lindsey.

Vines, though, was the only one on hand. He thanked the people for electing him two years ago and asked for another term.

Vines said he has worked to build this department and now has "the finest crew of deputies" in the area.

He told the crowd he would not be able to do much politicking because he is concentrating on the drug and alcohol problems in the county.

Lindsey's wife, Lou, was present, but declined to speak for her husband.

Mary Vines will be first on the ballot for Nevada County Circuit Clerk, with incumbent Carolyn Steed second.

Vines said her qualifications for the office include having kept records at Wadley Regional Health Center in Texarkana and at Medical Park Hospital in Hope. In addition, she has operated six chicken houses, keeping up with all required records.

Steed kept her remarks short and to the point. "I love my job and will work hard to be reelected."

There are four men running for the position of Nevada County Coroner, but Kieth Williams will be the first name on the ballot. From there is will be Dennis Collins, Tommy Glass and Scott Logue.

Williams was the lone candidate present. He said he is a certified emergency medical technician both with Arkansas and nationally.

Williams has been a part-time employee of the Nevada County Ambulance Service for a year and said if he's on the scene, he should be able to pronounce someone dead.

Danny Miller is the top man on the ballot for Justice of the Peace in District 3. Carroll Purtle will be second.

Miller, who has lived in the county most of his life, said he'd like the chance to represent the people of the district.

Purtle was not present at the meeting.

Dennis Pruitt, while not at the meeting, had his name drawn for the No. 1 spot on the ballot for alderman, ward 3 position 1. Karen Ward was second.

Ward, though, was at the meeting. She said she doesn't know much about politics, but fought hard to keep the doors of the Nevada County Hospital open.

Her goal is to bring a 24-hour emergency care facility back to the county.

The other contested alderman race was for ward 4 position 2. Vernon Meeks will be first on the ballot, with Donna Wingfield second and Joe Johnson thi