Madison, Edwards square off over justice of the peace seat

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Washington County judge is challenging an incumbent justice of the peace for a spot on the Quorum Court.

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County Judge Marilyn Edwards

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Justice of the Peace Eva Madison

Whoever voters put into the District 9 seat will be among justices of the peace who face tough budget decisions.

Washington County Justice of the Peace

District 9

Marilyn Edwards

Age: 77.

Residency: Fayetteville for 49 years.

Employment: Washington County judge.

Education: Hartman High School.

Political Experience: Washington County judge, 2009-present; State Representative, District 88, 2003-08; Washington County clerk, 1976-2002.

Eva Madison

Age: 44.

Residency: Fayetteville for 37 years.

Employment: Littler Mendelson PC, shareholder since 2006; University of Arkansas School of Law, adjunct professor since 2004.

Education: Law degree, University of Arkansas; bachelor’s degree in mathematics, Vanderbilt University.

Political Experience: Justice of the Peace for District 9, 2011-present.

Justice of the Peace Eva Madison and County Judge Marilyn Edwards, both of Fayetteville, will face off during the Democratic primary March 1. The winner is likely to be the next justice for District 9 because no other candidates have filed.

Edwards and Madison each said she is the best candidate to fill the position.

Madison said she stands out because she believes the county should be financially efficient and questions about county business should be discussed openly.

"I'm very focused on moving the county forward and making progress in county government, but at the same time, I think I am firmly committed to Democratic ideals, which makes me the best candidate in the race," Madison said.

Madison and Edwards have sparred regularly over county spending in the past few years. Madison has pushed to control spending and build reserves. She has resisted calls to raise taxes. Edwards said worthwhile county services need money. She and her supporters have described the years of budget cutting as a personal vendetta.

Madison has said she supported Edwards in previous campaigns and having Edwards as an opponent will not change how she approaches the contest.

The two have differed on other issues, including membership of the Quorum Court's now defunct finance committee, county vehicle use by employees and mileage reimbursement for justices.

Edwards said Wednesday she decided to run as justice of the peace in early 2015. Her race against Madison is not personal, she said.

Edwards said her professionalism, vast experience and honesty make her the best candidate to serve as justice of the peace. The Quorum Court needs someone with experience, drive and direction, she said.

"I serve the people -- that has been my motto 40-plus years," Edwards said. "The people of Washington County know me."

Madison and Edwards both have experience in government.

For the past seven years, Edwards has served as county judge, who oversees 14 departments. She previously was the county clerk and state representative. Madison has served the past five years on the Quorum Court.

Edwards said the ongoing bickering among justices of the peace and other county officials must stop. The Quorum Court needs someone who can think about others instead of themselves, she said.

The priority should be to raise the property millage rate and give county employees much-deserved pay raises, Edwards said. The Quorum Court approved bonuses for employees last year, but not pay raises. Washington County justices voted against raising the millage rate last year.

The general county millage rate was lowered to 3.9 mills from 4.4 mills in 2011 after the county general reserves reached about $19 million in March of that year.

Surrounding counties have higher millage rates, Edwards said. Benton County levies 5 mills.

Madison said she supports county employees and wants to find a way to give pay raises, but the Quorum Court must consider how best to pay for them. For example, justices should review how some county tax revenue is divided between the Road Department and general fund before raising taxes, she said.

"There needs to be a lot more discussion," Madison said.

Madison said she is the stronger leader and has taken on leadership responsibilities while Edwards has not.

The county faces four federal lawsuits from employees and safety questions surrounding two flawed bridges -- all under Edwards' watch, Madison said.

Madison was part of a county investigation into the Road Department's bridge building and found faulty construction.

"The problems (under Edwards) have finally become apparent -- a lack of leadership over a number of years and you finally see the problems emerge," Madison said. "Years of experience are not what matters to me -- it's the quality of the experience."

Fifteen justices make up the Quorum Court, which is the county's legislative branch. Members earn $200 per meeting, plus mileage, according to the county judge's and clerk's offices.

Justices of the peace held about 64 meetings last year. Pay for Quorum Court members last year ranged from $5,000 to $11,600, based on attendance only, county records show.

NW News on 02/08/2016

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