Monticello Live

Former Mayor Joe Rogers entered the mayors race, Thursday, by filing his petition to run as an Independent in the June 24 special election.

Rogers also plans to run for the 4 year term as Mayor, in the general election, in November.

Rogers served as Mayor from 2007-2010, and runs Rogers Mens Wear.

The Republican Party of Drew County was saddened by the news this week of the death of Mayor Allen Maxwell. His service to the city of Monticello and the Great State of Arkansas are to be applauded.  Whichever side you fall on politically it is always a sacrifice to serve the people while in office.

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Courtney Hale of Monticello has announced her candidacy for Drew County Circuit Clerk.

Hale, who currently serves as administrative assistant for the Drew County Detention Facility and a 911 dispatcher for the Monticello Police Department, will seek the Republican nomination in the May 20 primary election.

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Chris Barnett of the Green Hill community has announced her candidacy for District 6 Justice of the Peace on the Drew County Quorum Court.

Barnet, a lifelong Drew County resident, is a 1971 graduate of Wilmar High School and received a cosmetology degree in 1972. For the past 42 years, she has worked in hair salons and operated a hairstyling business out of her home. She currently owns Chris’ Hair Care in Monticello.

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Monticello native Patricia (Ferrell) Mays has announced that she will be a candidate for the Arkansas House of Representatives District 10 in the 2014 general election on the Republican ticket.

“I decided to run for House of Representatives because there is a need for legislators who will pass laws that align with the values of the citizens they represent. I believe that our representatives should be aware of the current issues, gather all the relevant facts, solicit input from all of their constituents then make the best decision that they can based on the available information,” Mays said.

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Drew County resident, Sonya Leggett-Ryburn, has announced that she will be a candidate for State Representative District 9 in the 2014 election on the Republican ticket. This District includes the major portions of Drew and Ashley Counties.

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Sheilla Lampkin of Monticello is announcing her candidacy for the office of State Representative, District 9, in the May 2014 Democratic Primary Election. Lampkin will be serving her third term as state representative and her second term as representative for District 9. District 9 includes approximately two-thirds of both Drew County and Ashley County, including Monticello, Hamburg, the heart of Crossett and much of the area around the three cities. She has all of the area east of Hwy 425 in Drew County.
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A Monticello parks committee member, who twice has attempted a run for City Council, recently posted on FaceBook the possiblilty of seeking the office of Monticello Mayor.

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Curtis Coleman, a Republican candidate for Governor, was in Monticello, Monday, for a meet-&-greet at the home of Zach McClendon.

Coleman described himself as a “conservative Republican.”

He also commented, “I’m not a politician; I’m not even a lawyer.  I’m a businessman.”

ASA HUTCHINSON SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER OF SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS TEA PARTY
By Linda Davis

Former U.S. Congressman and current gubernatorial candidate Asa Hutchinson was the special guest speaker at the September 9, meeting of the Southeast Arkansas TEA Party. Mr. Hutchinson began his presentation by complementing the TEA Party. “I have been the Chairman of the Arkansas Republican Party and helped build the party in the state,” he said. “When we have another party that comes along that is citizen driven and that supports fewer taxes, smaller government and the Constitution; you know it will help politics in general. The TEA Party helps get good, conservative candidates elected.”

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With all 19 of voting precincts counted, here are the final, but unofficial election results for the extension of the County Road Tax. (more…)

Several current quorum court members, and even a retired JP were present for the posting of Tuesday night’s election returns.

Click below for precint totals.

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PROCLAMATION OF SPECIAL ELECTION (paraphrased)

It is hereby proclaimed that a Special Election will be held in Drew County, Arkansas on the 9th day of July, 2013, at which there shall be submitted to the voters the adoption a 1% local sales and use tax within the County for a period of six (6) years, the net collections will be distributed to the County and used as follows: 75% of the Net Collections to finance the construction, reconstruction, restoration, improvement, alteration and repair of County roads, and 25% of the Net Collections to finance general operations of the County and other purposes of County government. If approved, the levy of the tax will commence on January 1, 2014.

The election will be held 7:30 am til 730 pm, Tuesday at the usual polling places.

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(Submitted)  The guest speaker at a special meeting of the Southeast Arkansas TEA Party was Mr. Curtis Coleman. Mr. Coleman is a candidate for Governor of Arkansas in the 2014.

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New County Judge Robert Akin, being congratulated by former candidate Jessie Griffin, Tuesday night.

Robert Akin, the independent candidate, won Tuesday night’s run-off election and will be the next Drew County Judge.

Robin Hood, the chief deputy of the Sheriff’s Dept. won the general election, but lost to Akin in the run-off.

The final,unofficial ballot totals by voting wards are posted below.

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Former Drew County Judge candidate Jessie Griffin,this morning, endorsed Robert Akin for that position in the upcoming run-off election.

Griffin told MLive, “I’m supporting Robert because he’s the best candidate in the race.  Robert is a good honest man, who has good experience to serve in the position of county judge.  Robert ran a very clean campaign, and will do a good job for the county.  I feel Robert is the best choice for Drew County judge, and encourage everyone who supported me to vote for Robert Akin in the run-off election.”

Griffin also pointed out, contrary to rumors, if Akin is elected, Griffin will not be given a job with the county.

Drew County elections aren’t over for 2012, because on November 27, the Drew County Judge’s race will be determined by a run-off between Robin Hood (2927 votes) and Robert Akin (1903 votes.)  Jessie Griffin the third place candidate had 1761 votes.

In other local races…….

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State Senate # 26 and State Rep. #9 & #10 races decided by voters in other counties. 

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Most local candidates were present for the traditional “Election Night Poll Watch” at the county courthouse.

Shown here are successful candidates: Robert Akin, JP Renee Knowles, Collector Tonya Loveless, Robin Hood, and State Rep. Sheilla Lampkin.  Akin & Hood will face each other in a Run-off for County Judge on November 27

Today, MonticelloLive will be running “Meet the Candidates” articles with the County Judge Candidates.

Learn more about the men that are seeking the office of Drew County Judge, and then VOTE?

Larry Allen of Monticello was the drawing winner for a Remington model 770 Youthmaster 243 rifle.

The drawing was held as a part of the Robin Hood for Judge Campaign.

Political ad paid for by Robin Hood for Drew County Judge.

The Leadership Council of Ward 1 are hosting a Candidates Forum, featuring Candidates For Drew County Judge, tonight, Monday, October 22nd, at 6 pm at Revival Center’s Alpha Brooks Fellowship Hall, 311 South Pine St.

Candidates Jesse Griffin, Robert Akin and Robin Hood all plan to attend.

MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Candidates Frank Appleberry and Rene Knowles notified the group that they had previous engagements at the time the meeting was scheduled.

Drew Memorial Hospital’s new Surgery Center became a much clearer vision, with Tuesday passage of the continuatino of the current millage for the local hospital, by a 2 to 1 margin.

DMH CEO Mike Layfield was busy calling board members and staff of the hsospital to thank them for their efforts, describing the successful outcome as, “A giant step forward for health services at Drew Memorial Hospital, and an improvement of the overall health of the citizens of Drew County.”

Here are the FINAL, but UNOFFICIAL election results for the proposed extension of the Drew Memorial Hospital millage, voted on, Tuesday, by Drew County voters……………..

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Today is Voting Day for the proposed millage extension for Drew Memorial Hospital.  If passed by voters, these funds will be used to construct a new, updated surgery center for the local hospital. 

Hospital supporters key phrase during recent months has been, “This is not a new tax.”  It is a continuation of the current millage that supports local medical care at Drew Memorial.

A total of 212 votes were cast

There are two questions on the ballots, shown below, and you will make a total of 5 “button pushes” in the entire voting process.

MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

John Ratzenberger, the actor who played Cliff Clavin on Cheers, hosted the Made in America series on the Travel Channel, and has voiced many animated characters visited Monticello, Thursday as a part of Americans for Prosperity political bus tour, “Obama’s Failing Agenda Tour”, last week.  Most of his presentation is included in the videos.

Today is election day for a single seat on the Drew Central school board.  Miyoshi Smith currently holds the position, and local veterinarian Jason Cater is running for the position.

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