Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Buelow Says He Has The Experience

Steve Buelow, candidate for State Representative from District 28, says he has the experience to get the job done.

"I feel I have the experience to bring to the table that will allow me to have a positive effect as representative for District 28," he said.

Buelow's experience primarily comes from the insurance industry. He has been involved with Anderson-Frazier Insurance since 1981, after graduating Ouachita Baptist University with a BS in business administration, and bought the company in 1984.

In addition, he has been a justice of the peace for the Hempstead County Quorum Court for 10 years. As a JP, Buelow chairs the budget and finance committee, which he helped organize about eight years ago.

He said when first elected to the court, there was no budget committee. Buelow helped create one to help the county face financial problems.

Historically, he said, independent insurance companies have been involved with legislature from a consumer standpoint.

"I want to do what I can to be a positive influence," he said.

Buelow has been actively involved in community activities in Hope as well. He is a past president of the Kiwanis Club, where he earned the distinguished president's honor, was a former president and campaign chairman of the Hempstead County United Way, and as such helped set a record for fund raising which still stands at $104,000.

He is a charter investor and member of the Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation, and is also involved in the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council.

"I'd like for the people to look at my record on several different organizations," he said. "They'll see I've been a positive influence and have been able to do well in these endeavors.

"I feel I bring quality leadership, skill and team concept (to the race). I feel if you can get people involved, you can achieve any goal through teamwork. I'm a real team player."

If elected, Buelow said, he will work to help get quality, good paying jobs in Prescott and Nevada County. "I will work with the people and leaders to do what I can to bring this about," he said.

"As people consider the race, I feel I'm the only candidate bringing experience in government budgeting, economic development and working within community organizations."

Buelow said he will be available to the people of the district, and will listen to their concerns.

He said in the insurance business, it is important to listen and hear people so their problems can be dealt with. Buelow said he will bring this experience with him to the general assembly, if elected.

"I feel it's important for people to be able to get hold of their representative," he said. "I'm going a step above so the people of the district can get in touch with me."

Buelow will be making the toll-free number at Anderson-Frazier Insurance available to constituents at no cost to taxpayers.

"I will be effective," he said. "I feel my experience will allow me to be effective. I feel I bring all aspects together."

In his spare time, Buelow enjoys spending time in the outdoors, hunting duck and deer.

He also enjoys spending time with his wife, Donna, and three daughters, Erin, 13, Meredith, 12, and Ashly, 9, on the lakes, water skiing and swimming. The Buelow family also enjoys snow skiing.

"I'm a committed family person," he said. Buelow's daughters play the piano and perform in community plays.

Buelow is a member of the First Baptist Church in Hope, where he is a deacon and Sunday school teacher.

He said education is a big issue for him, with three daughters. "I support public education and feel we need families and parents involved in the (education) process."

If we don't tie education to the family and home, he said, it will be difficult to provide children with a quality education.

Buelow has substitute taught in the Hope system. "I realize how tough it is for teachers to be effective within the system," he said. "I support teachers and their roles."

He said this election is one of the most important of all for state representative because of term limits.

Whoever is elected will have seniority in two years, and could be on key committees and have real influence.

"We need the kind of person who can take advantage of this opportunity, and I feel that person is me," he said.