Robert Akin Announces Re-election Bid for County Judge
January 27th, 2014 by
Drew County Judge Robert Akin has announced that he will be seeking a second term in the general election this fall. Akin, an independent, was first elected in November of 2012.
Since becoming judge, Akin has taken a proactive approach to many of the issues facing the county including working to eliminate dangerous mold at the 1930s-era courthouse and leading a campaign to renew the one-cent special road tax. He has also implemented a policy of clearing right-of-ways to improve visibility and make travel on county roads safer, and put in place a long-range plan to pave or chip-and-seal more county roads and maintain those that have already been improved. Sanitation has also been a focus for Akin, and he has pursued materials, equipment and grants to modernize the county landfill and make trash-collection operations more self-sufficient. He also hopes to see the Code Red early warning system be implemented in the near future, alerting residents to such situations as weather emergencies, Amber and Silver Alerts, burn bans, road closures and power outages, among other things.
Under Akin’s leadership, the county has become more fiscally sound and was able to complete 2013 without having to use any reserve funds. Akin said he believes the county should operate more like a business, and that its leaders should make every effort to use the people’s money wisely and make sure they get the best service possible for their tax dollars. “And I don’t mind a hands-on approach if that’s what it takes,” he said. “Sometimes the only way to find out what works and what doesn’t is to get out on the roads or in the ditches and see for yourself, and I’m glad to do that if it helps us figure out the best way to go.”
Akin is the only independent county judge in the state. “I want voters to know that I’m for the people, in any form,” he said. “Whether you’re a doctor or a laborer, a Democrat or a Republican, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m gonna represent you. I feel like, as an independent, I can go to the governor or a U.S. senator and be heard. I appreciate the voters of Drew County putting their faith in me to do just that. I think we have a really progressive community and I am proud to represent us across the state.”
A Drew County native, Akin is the son of George and Pat Akin and the grandson of the late Dr. A.K. and Louise Busby and Cecil and Christine Akin. He and his wife, Cindy, a math facilitator at Monticello Elementary School, have been married for 32 years. They have two daughters, Britni, 31, and Kinsley, 19. Britni, who lives in Colorado, has a 9 year-old son, Boston, and Kinsley is a freshman at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.
Before becoming county judge, Akin worked in the construction and logistics industries. He was elected to the Monticello City Council in 2000 and served nearly a full term there before a move outside the city limits required him to give up his seat. He also served two terms as president of the Arkansas Chuckwagon Racing Association, and is a previous member of the advisory council at the Occupational Education Center of the Monticello School District.
“I have worked hard in my first term and tried to do my best for the residents of Drew County,” said Akin. “I have gotten to know a lot of you, and have learned a lot about meeting the challenges the county faces. I hope the voters will give me a chance to continue the good things we have started and to keep the county moving forward. I want to ask everyone for their vote and support in the November election.”
