FAYETTEVILLE -- Roads are a top concern for two Washington County justice of the peace candidates.
Longtime Justice of the Peace Joe Patterson, a Republican, is challenged by Democrat Stacy Cavender for the District 5 position, which represents the north-northeastern part of the county. Early voting started Monday for the Nov. 8 General Election.
Washington County
Justice of the Peace, District 5
Stacy Cavender, Democrat
• Age: 44.
• Residency: Rural northeastern Washington County.
• Education: Springdale High School graduate.
• Employment: Self-employed as a trainer in the Home Preservation industry, teaching contractors to inspect and repair homes to FHA and HUD standards in the foreclosure market.
• Political Experience: Lost in a race against Justice of the Peace Joe Patterson in 2012.
Washington County
Justice of the Peace, District 5
Joe Patterson, Republican
• Age: 79.
• Residency: Springdale, moved to Northwest Arkansas in 1962.
• Employment: Started Eagle Body Inc., in 1968.
• Education: Pleasant, Kan., High School graduate.
• Political Experience: Justice of the peace since 2003.
Patterson said his top concern is funding for the Road Department, ambulance service, rural fire departments and law enforcement.
"I support them getting all the money they can," Patterson said.
Cavender wrote in an email that he wants to save the county money and increase pay for county employees with "hazardous" jobs, like patrolling deputies.
"My goals are to bring common sense, decency and cooperation to the Quorum Court," Cavender said.
Cavender has said on a social media used for his campaign he wants to "review the county budget and ensure access to quality roads and bridges." The county has nearly 1,000 miles of roadway to maintain. A recent survey showed about 15 bridges are considered structurally deficient.
Patterson said he worked with Central EMS to build an ambulance service that serves cities and rural areas throughout Washington County -- except for Springdale. He said he strongly supports rural emergency services.
Patterson said he helped the Nob Hill Volunteer Fire Department increase revenue by putting fire dues on property tax bills. Revenue went up about 40 percent, he said.
Cavender said he is against zoning that hurts residents or puts people out of their homes. Cavender said Patterson has supported projects, like a rock quarry east of Fayetteville, that were not good for his district's residents.
Both candidates said they are against any property tax increases.
Cavender said he wants to save the county money by consolidating county vehicles into one fleet and by replacing those vehicles with less expensive, more efficient ones, he wrote in an email. Cavender said he also supports lowering the pay for elected officials.
"Trim the fluff from all departments such as unnecessary spending and expense accounts," Cavender wrote. "Cap all elected officials salaries at $75,000 annually and reduce justice of the peace salaries by half from $200 per meeting to $100. These are good places to start."
Patterson said he wants to see the state increase the amount it pays the county for holding prisoners. That alone would save the county about $1.2 million per year, he said. The state does not fully pay counties what it cost to house state inmates.
Patterson said he loves being a justice of the peace and hopes voters cast ballots for him.
"I like the job," Patterson said. "I like the challenge."
NW News on 10/28/2016