News-Times Staff Report
EL DORADO — James E. Thomas is seeking the District 5 seat on the Union County Quorum Court in the Nov. 8 General Election.
Thomas, a Republican, is challenging incumbent Justice of the Peace Carolyn Jones, a Democrat, for her position on the quorum court.
Thomas, 78, is retired and lives in El Dorado with wife Carolyn Jones Thomas. The couple has two children, Jeff Thomas and Cindy Thurmon; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Thomas was born in El Dorado and graduated from El Dorado High School in 1956. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Southern State College in Magnolia in 1961.
He taught high school for one year in Harvey, Louisiana, and served in the Army from 1962-64 at the U.S. Army Chemical Center in Edgewood, Maryland, where he attained the rank of E-5 Specialist, conducting environmental research as a toxicologist and pharmacologist with the Army Environmental Hygiene Agency.
From 1964 to 1975, Thomas worked with Murphy Oil Corporation in the production division. From 1975 to 1978, he was the manager of the Kings Inn Motel and Rest-aurant.
Thomas opened and operated the Kitchen Kupboard Rest-aurant from 1979 to 1984, then he owned and operated the Union Station Cafe from 1985 until 2003.
Since retiring, Thomas has continued to work part-time for the U.S. Census Bureau.
Thomas enjoys politics, reading and fishing.
“I am seeking office because I have been an activist in local and national politics for over 40 years and would like to be more involved,” Thomas said. “I think my background and experience qualify me to adequately serve as justice of the peace.”
Thomas has never served in elected office, and he expects budgeting to be a main function of the quorum court.
“The Number One problem I expect is budgeting,” he said. “My primary goal is to limit the size and scope of government, reduce the budget and reduce taxes or at least halt increases.”
“It is obvious our budget woes stem from a poor economy plus inflation eating away our reduced revenues and more and more people on fixed incomes of Social Security (with no raises) and disability,” Thomas said.
“Increased unemployment has resulted in more poverty and increases in food stamp recipients plus increased medical costs,” he said. “Our decline in morality has increased the crime rate and led to our current problem with jail operation costs.”
Thomas said his opponent has served “adequately and long enough, and with possible passage of the current amendment to increase terms of JPs we are probably due a change in personnel.”
Former District 1 JP Dr. Steve Ward is the person Thomas said he would consider a role model for public service.
“If elected, I believe my strongest character trait as an elected official to be integrity,” Thomas said.
The last book he read was “I Never Thought I’d See The Day” by Dr. David Jeremiah, which is about our culture at the crossroads, he said.
“I am very concerned about the moral and ethical decline which is detrimental to our Judeo-Christian foundation,” Thomas said.
“The single most important thing I want my constituents to know about me is that I will be fair and balanced and honest in my governing,” Thomas said.