Stephanie Hill has announced her candidacy for Monticello City Council Alderman Ward 2, Position 2, in the upcoming 2012 Democratic Primary Election that will take place on May 22nd. The position is currently being held by Ms. Claudia Hartness.

Stephanie, a native of Southeast Arkansas, graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello and has made Monticello her hometown for the past 22 years.

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With the Drew County Sheriff’s election 5 weeks away, both Sheriff Mark Gober and candidate Ronnie Adcock spoke to the Barkada Community citizens group about their campaigns.

Topics covered included background, expectations, and how much time deputies spend working inside the Monticello city limits.

Charlie Searcy and Michael Booker, both candidates for the job of Drew County Treasurer, took part in the Barkada Community forum, to discuss the upcoming election.

Both men complimented the other, during their presentations. However they disagree on their plans, if elected. Searcy said he plans to keep the Treasurer’s Office open, but use his current accounting office as a “remote office” to serve the county, adding that his accounting staff would also be an asset to the county, since he doesn’t plan to give up his existing business.

Booker plans to operate and work full-time out of the current office inside of the courthouse.

Due to recent legislation, the sheriff’s office and collector’s office have been separated.

There are 3 candidates for the newly created position;  Josh Frost, Tonya Lovelesss, and Cheri Norris.  All 3 have courthouse experience, with Loveless currently serving as the executive collector, until the new position takes effect in January.

Joe Meeks has announced his candidacy for Monticello City Council, Ward 3, Position 2. He has been a resident of Monticello for the last 19 years, having graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello with a degree in Political Science. He has been employed as an engineer with AT&T for over 12 years. Mr. Meeks currently serves the community as a member of the Library Building Committee and as a volunteer fireman with the Monticello Fire Department. He is married to Kristi McKinley Meeks, a 3rd grade teacher at Drew Central. The couple has two children, Nathan 9, and Hannah 7. They are active members of First United Methodist Church, where Kristi sings in the Praise Band and Joe serves on the finance committee.

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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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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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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.

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.”

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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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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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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Rep. Allen Maxwell

Mayor Joe Rogers

Videos below from Monday night’s Political Forum at Pilgrim’s Rest AME Church, featuring mayoral candiate Allen Maxwell and Mayor Joe Rogers.

MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Tommy Gray has announced that he will seek re-election to another term as District 5 Justice of the Peace.

A native of south Arkansas and a resident of Drew County for more than 33 years, Gray is president and manager of Monticello Tire and Service, Inc. Goodyear. He is a member of Pauline Baptist Church and the Monticello Lions Club, a 32nd Degree Mason, past master of Eureka Lodge #30, a member of the Eastern Star, a Shriner in the Sahara Temple, and a board member of the Drew County Historical Museum and the Drew County Historical Society.

Gray and his wife, LaWanda, have four children: Tess Kilcrease and Ted Gray of Monticello, Jackie Jarrett of Dumas and Debbie Fraser of Gould.

In seeking reelection, Gray states that he will work with and for all the citizens of Drew County. “I pledge to continue work and support for our hospital, library, schools and economic development. I will continue to work for new industry and will support the industry and growth of what we now have.

“I care about Drew County and all of its people. I take pride in my service to District 5. Thank you for the trust and support you have placed in me,” he said.

Larry Smith, Jr..has announced his candidacy for the position of Drew County Sheriff and Collector. During my ten years in law enforcement I have graduated from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy in Camden, and have been certified in numerous law enforcement classes, such as postal inspection, special street crime operations, crime scene investigations, methamphetamine identification and safety, basic Spanish, and domestic violence. I also graduated from SSA K-9 Academy with several more certifications in law enforcement.

I am employed as a police officer by the City of Monticello. Previously, I was a Drew County Sheriff’s deputy for approximately seven years.

I am the son of the late Larry Smith of Monticello, who was my biggest mentor and friend. I am the father of four children; Lawton, Kelby, Karter, and Jalie.

I believe in strong family morals and will pledge to do the best possible job to uphold those values.

If elected, I will do my best to be fair and just, and also to have an open door policy for all Drew County citizens. I am asking you, the citizens of Drew County, to elect me Sheriff and Collector of Drew County, because I have the experience, heart, and leadership to make this a better community.

Stanley Lucas, a former convenience store owner, and supporter of legalizing the sale of alcohol in the Wilmar area, pled guilty to the chard of “election canvasser making a false statement” in last years wet/dry township election, during a hearing in Drew County Circuit Court this week.

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Joe Burgess is seeking the position of Constable of Marion Township (Monticello and the surrounding area) currently held by Raymond Chisom.

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