Pubdate: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 Source: Daily Citizen, The (AR) Copyright: 2006 The Daily Citizen Contact: http://www.thedailycitizen.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2046 Author: Warren Watkins THORNTON WANTS FEDERAL FOCUS ON WHITE COUNTY DRUGS Rhetoric was high but attendance was low Saturday morning during a candidate forum sponsored by the White County Farm Bureau. Only 50 were in attendance, including Asa Hutchinson, the Republican candidate for governor, and Andy Mayberry, the Republican candidate for the third Congressional district. Ginger Beebe represented her husband, Mike Beebe, the Democratic candidate for governor, while Ed Fry represented Congressman Vic Snyder, the Democratic incumbent. Stanley Hill with the Farm Bureau spoke for Preferred Question One, saying the investment of $250 in Arkansas' higher education was necessary. The states of Mississippi and Tennessee have invested $600 million and $1 billion respectively in recent years, Hill said. The candidate forum will be replayed Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. on White County Cable channel three between now and the election. White County sheriff's race Ed Thornton, independent candidate for White County Sheriff, wants the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to begin seizing real estate from drug dealers in the county. The sheriff's department needs to look at the bigger picture, Thornton said in an interview. Thorton said he has achieved results by seeing property seized during his work in a southern Florida law enforcement career, where he said he helped stop drugs coming into the country. "That's the kind of thing this drug task force should be doing," Thornton said. "Local prosecutors are reluctant to seize real property. When you team up with a federal agency, the seizures are federal." Democrat incumbent Pat Garrett said in his speech that "80 percent of drug arrests in White County were made by your sheriff's office." Thornton called for a new emphasis on drug education and intervention, proposing an after-school program on the elementary and junior-high levels. "This will make the environment uncomfortable for drug dealers," Thornton said, declining to name neighborhoods or towns in the county where the program is needed. "It would work anywhere the socio-economic environment is right." A zero-tolerance stance on drugs will be part of his administration, Thornton said. Garrett said he had inherited a bad situation with the jail and other equipment, but has made progress. "We've passed every inspection since I've been sheriff," Garrett said. "We had about four or five cars that ran, but now we have better-equipped and better-trained officers." Republican candidate for sheriff Ricky Shourd did not attend, but spokesman Jeremy Clark spoke for him. "When you have a family-oriented community like we do, Ricky fits like a glove," Clark said. County judge's race Waylon Heathscott, a Democrat, challenged independent Dennis Gillam and Republican Michael Lincoln in remarks he made from the podium. "Look beyond the muscadines. Look beyond where you go to church. Look beyond whether you are a Democrat or Republican," Heathscott said as he asked for votes. Gillam is a retired berry farmer who arrived with a large box of muscadines to give away. Lincoln is the manager of Camp Wyldewood, a Church of Christ camp in Searcy. Leading local reaction to natural gas exploration was the focus of Gillam's remarks. "The No. 1 problem we're dealing with in White County today is the land problems dealing with gas exploration," Gillam said. Local farmers need protection during this time, Gillam said. Lincoln's remarks were focused on his promotion of faith and integrity as vital characteristics needed for the county's next judge, who will replace retiring Republican Bob Parish. Giving his testimony as a follower of Jesus Christ, Lincoln said meetings with citizens and their justices of the peace will be a central part of his administration, working toward resolution of problems. Searcy mayor's race "Petty bickering and bad publicity" should be left behind, according to Nelson Ruscin, a representative of Philip Williams, the independent candidate for Searcy mayor. Ruscin spoke on behalf of Williams, who did not attend. Democratic incumbent Belinda LaForce agreed. "We need to put party affiliation and personal agendas and leave them at the door," LaForce said in an interview. "There's not a place for that in local government. There needs to be a spirit of cooperation between the city council and the mayor's office. I've tried to do that and will continue." Republican candidate Dale Brewer proposed a three-prong approach to leadership in the city: Fighting illegal drugs, promoting economic development and building infrastructure. The drug problem is "worse than it's ever been in our county, and specifically in Searcy," Brewer said, calling for joint efforts between the Searcy Police Department, the sheriff's department and the state police. Looking to high-tech industries is the answer to losing jobs and factories, Brewer said, adding the city needs a systematic street resurfacing program. Ruscin said Williams had experience working as a supervisor for Wal-Mart, where he once led a store that was destroyed by fire to reopen at a new location in just 21 days. LaForce said she had experience of her own reacting to a fire, referring to a blaze that destroyed the city's central fire station and district court. She referred to her plan to resurface city streets and said economic development is on her agenda as well. "We're looking at ways we can attract new industry, maybe with small industries," LaForce said. "We're working hand in hand and side by side with the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission." LaForce said she had recently traveled to Chicago to help one Searcy factory react to the impending closure of the Whirlpool plant. Accusations that the city was using deficit spending were strongly rebuffed by LaForce. "I have 28 years experience working in the city, drafting budgets," LaForce said. "That's illegal. We have had glowing audits." - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine