Two candidates, Republican Steve Ward and Democrat Mike Dumas, will face off in the Nov. 6 General Election for District 1’s Justice of the Peace seat on the Union County Quorum Court.
The Quorum Court is a legislative body, whose duties include levying taxes and appropriating funds. Currently, the District 1 seat is held by incumbent Dumas. Ward previously held the position, from 2010 through 2012; Dumas has held the seat since.
In separate interviews, the two candidates highlighted issues that are important to them and described how they would address those issues if re-elected.
Both candidates cited economic development as something that was important to them. Ward said he would support continued assistance to the Recreation Complex, which he said he thinks could generate money for the county.
“I like seeing new jobs come to town and if [we can do] things that will help those along, then sure, I’m for that,” Ward said.
Dumas said economic development must be a joint effort between the city of El Dorado, Union County and the Chamber of Commerce, where he is the CEO.
“We’ve got to be a unit in saying what’s good for El Dorado is good for the county. What’s good for Strong is good for the county. What’s good for Smackover is good for the county. That’s the kind of understanding and cooperation and mindset that we’ve got to have in the JP setting at the Quorum Court,” Dumas said.
Ward said it is important to him to make sure to have a full understanding of all issues that come before the Quorum Court before voting.
“I’m just really inquisitive,” he said. “I want to understand it completely.”
He said when he previously served on the Quorum Court, he wrote two ordinances, neitherof which passed; however a motion he made to increase the number of deputies at the Union County Sheriff’s Office was met with great support and did pass.
“At that time … I think there [were] three deputies on patrol in Union County at night – and of course, that’s when most crime occurs probably – but, you know, we’re the biggest county in Arkansas, and you can just imagine three deputies scattered over a whole county,” Ward said.
Dumas said funding the sheriff’s office is about the only role the Quorum Court can take in crime prevention; however, he said education and workforce initiatives can help to keep children out of trouble if it starts early enough.
Dumas said that with the Chamber of Commerce, he has helped to organize meetings between local industries and educators in order to find a way to show children in the county all their options after graduating high school. He said this could both promote economic development, by having a young, trained workforce, while also lowering crime rates, by giving people good paying jobs.
Ward, who owns and operates Ward’s Veterinary Clinic, said that as a small business owner, he has a good deal of insight into how to maintain a budget and spend money wisely.
“Being a small business owner, I have to watch my dollars every day and I’m accountable for them because if I don’t come out in the positive, well, then how do I pay my bills?” Ward said. “There’s a lot of similarities between running a business and running the county.”
Dumas has worked in public service since the 1980s, serving as Union County judge from 1980 through 1990; then El Dorado mayor from 1990 through 2002, and again from 2006 through 2010. He was first elected to the Quorum Court in 2012 and has served as a JP since.
Ward was elected to the Quorum Court in 2010, where he served for one term. Currently, his wife, Judy Ward, serves as an El Dorado alderman for ward 2, position 2.
Ward said he enjoys being involved in politics and wants to work for the good of the county.
“I just like to see that everything’s done in a proper manner and that the government’s done in a transparent manner … When I was on the Quorum Court before, I tried never to be a ‘yes person,’” Ward said. “I’d always say ‘Well, are we sure this is what we want to do? Are we sure this is what’s going to be good for everybody in the county?’”
Dumas said he has the historical knowledge necessary for maintaining the county. He also serves as the chairman of the Finance Committee on the Quorum Court.
“By staying on top of it, working with the treasurer, staying with the budget and all our various department heads, various officials … you need to be on top of that and in order to be on top of that, you have to be aware of what’s going on,” Dumas said. “To me, that’s a very important part of the Quorum Court is staying on top of the revenues and expenditures.”
Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].