Monticello Live

Saturday evening, at the monthly Barkada Community meeting, all 5 candidates for the position of Drew County Judge were invited to meet members of the community, speak to the group, and answer question.

All 5 candidates did participate in the event. 

Their comments and the question and answer discussion videos are posted below.

Ben Crossett has announced his candidacy for Alderman for the City of Monticello, Ward 4, Position 2.

Ben is a 1994 graduate of Monticello High School, a 1994 graduate of Forest Echoes Technical School (now UAM College of Technology) in Crossett and a 2005 graduate of SouthArk Community College in Eldorado.

Ben has been an Emergency Medical Technician for 17 years and a certified Law Enforcement Officer for 12 years. He is currently employed by Southeast Emergency Medical Services (SEEMS) of Monticello and is a part-time dispatcher for the Monticello Police Department.

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“I would like to thank District 1 for the opportunity to serve on the Quorum Court and hope that I have reprented well. I do have the people at heart. It is with this thought in mind that I decided to file as a Republican this term.

Although locally we may share similar views, the Democratic Party has increasingly moved away from the principles and values that I grew up on. I hope that my decision is viewed with my heart’s intent and that everyone will take a closer look at the direction our country is headed. I will do everything in my power to stand for what I believe.”

Below is a current list of all local political candidates, grouped by the office they are running for.
(Wilmar and constables will be posted later today)

Drew County Judge
Judge Damon Lampkin – retiring
Robin Hood
Bobby Harris
Jessie Griffin – Republican
Jim Glennon
Robert Akin

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A total of 6 local candidates filed for political office Wednesday, bringing the current total of local candidates to 31.

The candidates fining Wednesday were….
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Charles Davis has announced his candidacy for Alderman for the City of Monticello, Ward 3, Postion 2.

Charles, a life-long resident of Monticello is a retired accountant, with a B.S. in Economics from University of Arkansas at Monticello, and a  member of First Assembly of God Church.

“I have been blessed with three children; Kenny and wife Michelle, Lance and wife Beverly, and Staci and husband Bryan, six grandchildren (all live in Drew County.)

With my knowledge, experience in business and wiliness to work for the people of Monticello and for the progress of Monticello will be an asset.

Jimmy Potter will have served on the Drew County Quorum Court for 30 years, as of December, and has decided not to seek another term.

Potter told MonticelloLive, “I’ll be 77 soon and it’s an appropriate time to turn it over to someone younger.”  Potter expressed his concerns about special interest groups who want to increase the sales tax and millage rates, and added  ”The county is doing better financially, than most people realize..”

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Billie Lee Gober, has announced her intention to seek the position of Justice of the Peace, District 3, on the Drew County Quorum Court.

Billie was born and raised in Kenai, Alaska, and moved to the Drew County area over eighteen years ago.

She has four sons, Gold-21, Shiloh-18, Noah-16, and Kaarlo Rain-13. She and her children attend Pauline Baptist Church.

Gober is employed at the Hashem Law Firm as a Legal Assistant.

Jessie L. Griffin of Monticello has announced his candidacy for Drew County Judge in the upcoming election. Griffin, a retired Command Sergeant Major with twenty-seven years of military experience, is a native of Monticello, graduating from Drew Central in 1971. Since returning to Monticello, his employment history includes 10 years as service manager for Lucky Chevrolet. He also worked for Sears and the Bradley Lumber Company and is currently employed as a Purchasing Agent for Price Lumber Company

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Joe Burgess has announced his intentions to seek the office of Alderman for the City of Monticello.  Burgess plans to file today for the Ward 2, Position 1 seat.

Burgess, a life-long resident of South Arkansas, and a 20 year resident of the Monticello area, is owner and operator of MonticelloLive.com, which was honored as the 2011 MEDC / Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year.”

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Josh McKiever

Alderman Josh McKiever issued the following press release announcing that he will not seek re-election to that position.

“After careful consideration, I have decided not to seek re-election for Ward 3, Position 2. Due to my long work hours, many outside Monticello and Drew County, and the desire to further my education, I find it impossible to give necessary time and effort deserved by Ward 3 and the people of Monticello. I appreciate the trust you have placed in me to serve this term on the council.

“I continue to urge all eligible Monticello residents to please register and vote. Monticello needs good leadership, and I believe that each citizen can make a difference.

After serving the citizens of Drew County for 20 years, District 3 Justice of the Peace Louis Dunlap will not seek re-election at the end of his current term.

Dunlap told MonticelloLive, “I want to thank the people of district 3 for their support.  I will have complete 20 years of service on the Quorum Court, at the end of this year, and hopefully someone else will come along and be able to do the their best to serve the citizens of Drew County.”

Chris Barnett, of the Greenhill community, has announced her intention to seek re-election to the position of Justice of the Peace for District 6 on the Drew County Quorum Court.

She and her husband, Buddy, attend Wilmar Methodist Church.

Barnett is a life-long resident of Drew County, and owns Chris’ Hair Care, formerly known to many residents as The Hair Pen.

District 7 Justice of the Peace, Patty Mitchell, has announced her intention to seek re-election to the Drew County Quorum Court.

Mitchell is a UAM graduate, and is employed by UPS.

She is active in the Monticello Riding Club, the National Barrel Horse Association, and a member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church.

“Our county and our quorum court will have a new leader beginning in 2013. I would love to continue to be a part of the quorum court and help make the transition from Judge Lampkin to his successor as smooth as possible.”

Mitchell feels important issues facing Drew County include industries, county roads, the hospital, finances, and other important topics. 

Mitchell said “I am never afraid to voice my opinion and speak my mind in matters important to our county, and I hope the voters will see fit to return me to office.”

Andrea Huskey has announced her candidacy for Drew County Tax Collector in the upcoming May Republican primary. Andrea worked for several years in the banking industry as an assistant vice president and loan officer, in addition to twelve years in the accounting department at Clearwater Paper Corporation. “I believe my experience in the banking and accounting fields has provided me the necessary skills needed to do this job well,” she said.

Huskey is a resident of Monticello. She is married to Joe Huskey and has one daughter, Shelby, a student at Monticello Intermediate School.

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Lyna Gulledge of Monticello has announced her candidacy for her 5th term to the office of Drew County Clerk in the upcoming May Democratic Primary Election. Mrs. Gulledge is a member of the Association of Arkansas Counties, Association of AR County Clerk’s and she has served from 2006 – 2011 as secretary for the County Clerk’s Association and currently the second Vice-President of the County Clerk’s Association. Mrs. Gulledge is a member of the Church of Christ.

Lyna and her husband, Greg, have one son, James. “It has been a pleasure to serve the citizens of Drew County as County Clerk. With my experience in the office, I would like to ask for your continued support and vote in the upcoming Democratic election.”

Robin Hood has announced his intention to seek the office of Drew County Judge

Robin Hood is a native of Drew County, a 1962 graduate of Monticello High School, and attended UAM.

He and his wife Lynda have two children. Hood has been an ordained minister for over thirty years, and along with his family, is well known for their gospel music ministry.

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Robert “Bobby” Harris Jr has announced his candidacy for Drew County Judge in May Democratic Primary.

 Harris, 49, is the son of Robert and Peggy Harris of the Barkada Community. He resides in the Prairie Grove Community with his wife of 27 years Susan (Bowden) Harris. He has five daughters Stephanie Harris, Amber and Tim Wells, Nikki and Austin Williams, Laci and David Marter, and Staci and Brandon James. His five grandchildren include Madison Harris, Lynnley and Parker Wells, & Jaxon and Robert Alan Williams. Two more will be added in 2012. All are residents of Drew County. Harris is a graduate of Monticello High School, and a lifelong resident of Drew County.

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John Davis, a Republican candidate for U. S. President made a “votercade” tour stop at the Drew County Courthouse, Tuesday morning.

The turnout was small, but Davis asked everyone present what their concerns were;  jobs, economy, and healthcare were the main answers.

Although Davis has not gotten the national exposure many candidates have received, his goal of visiting every county in the United States is earning him an increasing amount of name recognition.

 Drew was county #1901 on the tour. 

Jim Glennon has announced his candidacy for Drew County Judge in the May Democratic primary.

Glennon, 56, also known as “Randy” by many, is the son of the late James and Glenda Glennon, a life-long resident of Possum Valley in southwestern Drew County and a graduate of Drew Central High School.

He served on active duty for 20 years in the United States Army, retiring as a First Sergeant.

Glennon has been employed at the Drew County Detention Facility for almost 5 years, and is currently serves as Compliance Officer for the facility. (more…)

Tommy Gray has announced his intent to seek re-election to the Drew County Quorum Court, as District 5 Justice of the Peace.

Gray is a native of south Arkansas and a resident of Drew County for more than 35 years, Gray is president and manager of Monticello Tire and Service, Inc.

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Realizing the need for a more proactive and conservative approach to the issues affecting Drew County and specifically JP District 9, Russell Corker believes that he can help manage and assist progress toward growth and a more stable Drew County. There are tough times ahead and we need to prepare.

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Throughout the course of this year the Drew County Republicans will be working to recruit, train and help elect conservative candidates on the local, state, and national levels. The Drew County Republicans are looking for individuals to run for office on the local level who support the conservative fiscal and social values of most Arkansans.

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Tonya Loveless has announced her candidacy for the positon of Drew County Tax Collector in the 2012 Democratic Primary.  She has held the position of Executive Collector since 2008, after being promoted from Deputy Collector.  She has been in the Collectors Office since January of 2005. (more…)

“I, Ronnie Adcock, am seeking the Office of Sheriff because I believe the citizens of Drew County deserve the very best protection and services from the Drew County Sheriff’s Office. I feel an obligation to help create a positive change for our communities, and I pledge to be a fair Sheriff, working for the people of this county. My door will always be open for citizens to express their concerns. I also look forward to forming a positive working relationship with the Monticello Police Department and their new Chief, Eddy Deaton. Residents of Drew County deserve a top notch Sheriff’s Department that is well trained and under my administration we will strive to achieve this by training both locally and at numerous others sites as funding allows.”

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Mark Gober has announced his candidacy for re-election to a fifth term as Drew County Sheriff. “During the past seven years I have worked closely with county, local and state officials in the prevention and deterrence of crime. We have increased the level of drug detection and substantially increased the number of drug related arrests. I have enjoyed meeting many citizens of this county while performing my duties as Drew County Sheriff and look forward to the many challenges that I face daily in this office.”

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Jeff Wardlaw of Hermitage recently announced his plans to seek re-election as State Representative for the Arkansas House of Representatives, District 8, which covers all of Bradley and parts of Drew, Ashley, Calhoun, Dallas and Cleveland Counties. Serving in his first term, Rep. Wardlaw stated, “I am grateful for the tremendous support I have received from the citizens of the District and I look forward to continuing to serve and work for you.”

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The second Tuesday of each month members of the Drew County Republicans gather in the hospitality room of the Monticello Holiday Inn to hear conservative speakers from around the state, have lunch, and share news. These meetings began in May of 2011 and are increasingly well attended. The Drew County Republicans have hosted such guest as congressional candidate Beth Anne Rankin, state senate candidate Mike Akin, Congresswoman Linda Collins-Smith and Republican Party of Arkansas chairman Doyle Webb, among others.

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Josh Frost announced today that he will be seeking the position of Drew County Collector, in the May, 2012 Democratic Primary.

Up until this year, the Sheriff and Collector position has been a combined position, held by the Sheriff. However, legislation passed in 2011 will separate the offices in Drew County into two different entities, requiring two different elected officials.

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Cheri ( Adcock) Norris is announcing as a candidate for the Drew County Tax Collector’s position. Cheri has been a resident of Drew County for 25 years.

Citing past work experience, both full and part time,in the Drew County Tax Collector’s office as qualifications for this position, Cheri is presently employed by the Drew County assessor’s office.

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Beth Davis of Monticello has announced her candidacy for re-election to the office of Drew County Assessor in the upcoming Democratic Primary Election.

Mrs. Davis is serving her third term as assessor, she served as Deputy Assessor for 15 years before being elected.

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Pat Scifres Savage announces that she is seeking re-election for the position of Drew County Circuit Clerk. She is currently serving her fourth term of office as the Circuit Clerk.

She graduated from Monticello High School and attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Pat is a Baptist and has three children: Chris Savage and wife, Kelly of Crossett; Brian Savage of Monticello, and Ashley Savage, a student at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. She is a grandmother of two, Gavin and Jaxson Savage from Crossett. Pat is the daughter of Martha Scifres and the late Tommy Scifres.

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“Great speakers, great food, great music, and a great silent auction!” These were just some of the aspects of the Drew County Republican’s first ever Reagan Day Dinner enumerated by Doyle Webb, chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas, when he presented Diana Harton with an award for the event. The award for “Best First Annual Event” was presented to Harton, chairman of the Drew County Republicans, recently at the Republican Party of Arkansas’ State Committee meeting, held December 3, in Little Rock.

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