District 1
Candidates: Incumbent Tawnya Lewis of Rogers and Dale King of Garfield.
What makes you the best candidate for JP in your district?
Lewis: I’ve lived innorthwest Arkansas my entire life, living in District 1 one for 20 years and want keep this area great place to live.
King: I have been aresident of Benton County since 1958.
My business record dates back for 40 years as an owner/ operator in this county.
Benton County, at its core, is an entity charged with providing services to its residents. Which services are essential and are there any you believe Benton County needs?
Lewis: A lot of residents in northeast Benton County want to see their ambulance service upgraded from a basic life support service (BLS) to an advanced life support service (ALS).
I am currently working with the county attorney to have a referendum prepared for the November election for northeast Benton County voters. I believe that the current situation has to be resolved by providing ALS services in life-threatening situations.
Tax payers believed that’s what they voted to pay for in 2007 that’s why they are upset. I am upset. Total Life Care was able to become ALS with no taxpayer funding.
NEBCO/VAS should be able to become ALS because it is supported by landowner taxpayers.
King: We should have better ambulance services. Better may mean having BLS and ALS with the goal of having all services. ALS will come in due time with growth and increased revenues.
While there has been considerable growth in terms of wealth in the area, the cities enjoy most in terms of tax receipts. The unincorporated areas, most areas of District 1, are made up of hard working folks that need the best service possible.
District 7
Candidates: John Anthony Cody of Pea Ridge and Joel Jones of Bella Vista
What makes you the best candidate for JP in your district?
Cody: People person,energetic, willing to listen, ability to understand. I understand the issues and evaluate all possibleavenues to reach the best solution. I’m not easily influenced by the last person I talked to and am more of a go-and-see-formyself type man.
Jones: I have been involved with the Quorum Court for several years, and have an understanding of what has happened in the past and where the current court is going. I believe I can step intothe opening left by JP Wozniak without losing the continuity for some of the projects. Unlike my opponent, this will be the only political office I will be holding. I will be able to devote my time and energy without having to make sacrifices between being a city councilman and being a JP.
Benton County, at its core, is an entity charged with providing services to its residents. Which services are essential? Are there any services you believe county residents need, which Benton County doesn’t provide?
Cody: Public safety and roads, planning and environmental protection are the cornerstone. What I’d like to see the county involved with is a coordinated emergency medical response with advanced life support in a timely manner, keeping in mind that definitive care is at the emergency room.
Jones: Some essential services provided by the county are law enforcement, county roads, county fire services and county records through the clerk.
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Editor’s note: For more questions and answers from the JP candidates, see the May 5 edition of The TIMES.
Community, Pages 6 on 04/28/2010