Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

New Jobs Top Priority For Worthey

Don Worthey brings a simple philosophy to the race for State Representative of District 28.

He said bringing business and industry to the area will be one of his top priorities if elected.

Another priority will be fiscal responsibility. Worthey said he will watch the taxpayers' money and make sure it's "not thrown away."

The candidate promised to do everything he could to help get a proposed prison to locate in Prescott as well.

Worthey has spent most of his life as a farmer and rancher. However, for 12 years he was the sheriff of Hempstead County.

His duties as sheriff included working with the Hempstead County Quorum Court and maintaining a budget. Worthey was also secretary of the Arkansas Sheriff's Association (ASA), and was on the ASA board of directors for six or seven years.

Worthey's workings with the ASA, he said, gave him access to the state's legislators. Many of whom are still in office.

"If elected," he said, "I'll be able to work with the legislators, and can take care of the things the way they need to be done."

His goals in office, if elected, include working to reduce unemployment in Nevada and Hempstead counties.

Worthey is a member of the Hope Noon Lions Club, where he has been a past president, is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hope, where he serves on the administrative board and as secretary of the Central Bible Class, and is members of the Arkansas Farm Bureau and American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

"I'll be able to help the farmers," he said. "As one, I know what they want and need. I'll be able to help them with the legislature."

He said one of the key issues of this election will be the upcoming state budget. Worthey feels the federal government will "drop" welfare onto states, and he wants to be sure those who need assistance are the ones getting it.

Worthey also plans to examine the educational process. He said Red River Technical College is one of the best things to happen in this region in a long time educationally.

He said the technical college, soon to become part of the University of Arkansas system, is a benefit to the area's young people. It allows them to get in their first two years of college without having to leave home, he said.

He also plans to work to strengthen law enforcement in the state. The former sheriff said while in office he worked with people to the best of his abilities, giving them advice and answers to their problems.

Law enforcement, he said, is something there is never enough of. "This will be one of my top priorities," Worthey continued. "They need more authority to do their job. If I can help them I will."

Worthey is married to Doris Askew. They have three children and five grandchildren.

He is also a graduate of Blevins High School and attended Southern State College (now SAU).

In his spare time, Worthey enjoys hunting, fishing, auctions and looking for antiques.

"If elected," he said, "people can talk to me anytime."